The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-30
To the Effect that the Authorities Contem-
plate Active Measures Against the League,
but No Decisive Action Follows.
Parnellites Will Extend Assistance to
Editor O'Brien in His Coming Trial.
Prince Ferdinand Growing Uneasy Over the
the Failure Of the Powers to Aid Him in His
Venture-General News by the Gable.
THE IRISH EXECUTIVE.


Privy Council Meeting That Was Expected
to Take DecIsive Action.
Special to the Indianapolis journal
LONDON, Aug. 29.-An extraordinary and
hastily convened session of the Irish Privy
Council was held at Dublin Castle to-day. which
gave rise to reports that the government In
tended to begin active operations to suppress the
National League Immediately. The rumors
were unfounded. however, the business con-
sidered by the council having been of the usual
formal routine character Lord Ashbourne.
Lord Chancellor, of Ireland, was present at the
council, and ha attendance trengthened the
belief of the knowing ones that the executive
desire to consummate the recent proclamation.
Of the league dangerous association by the
seizure of persons and papers was about to be
carried out. Later in the day, however. it
transpired that the report of the governments
intentions with regard to the league was pre-
mature, but it appears from the information
gathered that Mr.. Michael Davitt is to be made
to suffer for the language he used in his speech
at Bray, yesterday, and that all other Irish
tors indulging IN similar harangues are to be
promptly arraigned before magistrate, and, if
possible, convicted of reasonable acts and i'm
prisoned. This is about the only way in which
the government can bolster up its position, and
if a sufficient number of the Irish leaders
can be seized upon one charge or an
other to cripple the league the object
of the Tories can be gained without
resorting to the extreme step of suppressing
branches of the league wherever found, with or
without provocation. which would work more
harm than good in the infiua9ce it would have
upon English public opinion. The indictment
of Mr.. O'Brien for violent speeches at Mitchell
town is part of this program ne, though begun
before the official scheme completed, and
tremendous efforts will be made to convict him.
The government officials are somewhat puzzled.
however, to find means of achieving this object
that be relied upon, as 1t Is doubtful
whether jury be secured to the
governments hiking The government Is ex-
tremely anxious just now to have it understood
that nothing irregular has been resolved to on
Mr. O'Brien's case, which fact is attessed by the
reply of Col. King -Harman Irish parliamep tary
under secretary Mr. Dillon in the House of
Commons this evening In answering one ones
ton, Col. King Hartman took occasion to assure
the Irish member that nothing had been done in
the case of Mr.. O'Brien that not IN strict
conformity with the crimes act. and that under
that act the government could have taken
other couse. The case. he said, would come up
on Sep. /. and would be tried wholly on it's mer
its. If Mr.. O'Brien could prove his innocence.
that ended the matter; if he could not, he would
be imprisoned
The Parnellites are determined that Parlia-
ment shall not rise until decision shall have
been reached in the of Mr.. O'Brien, and be-
gan tonight what promises to be a prolonged
discussion of the Irish estimates Even bv
sorting to the closure rule the government will
be unable to balk their purpose. Mr..
O'Briens trial opens on Sept. 8. ANY attempt
by the prosecution to strain the meaning of the
crimes affecting Mr.. OBrien's case will
be the occasion of fierce protest by his col
leagues in Parliament. The Conservative
whips will be obliged to keep twenty members
within hail to prevent a surprise.
Mr.. Maurice Heay, addressing a meeting of
the National I.pADua Cork this 6Yeninp said
that the people of Ireland would wipe their
boots with the governments proclamations,
which Irishmen, with the support of the
English Democracy houted and despised
Coercion, he said, would entail great deal of
suffering in Ireland. but in the end it would
prove to have been blessing in disguise.